Bevacizumab as adjunctive therapy in anterior persistent fetal vasculature

Surgical removal of a vascularized pupillary membrane may be challenging with the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative recurrence. We present a case of a 4-week-old who presented with anterior persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) and dense vascularized pupillary membrane in which the use of intracameral and intravitreal bevacizumab may have contributed to successful treatment.

A 4-week-old-month-old otherwise healthy girl was referred to Boston Children's Hospital for evaluation of cataract. Ocular examination revealed right microcornea and vascularized pupillary membrane. The left eye exam was unremarkable. Only three weeks after surgical excision of the pupillary membrane and cataract extraction, recurrence of a vascular pupillary membrane was noted. Repeat membranectomy with pupilloplasty and use of intracameral bevacizumab was performed. The pupillary opening was further opened 5 months later, after repeat (intravitreal) bevacizumab, and the pupil has remained open and stable with >6 months' follow-up.

This case suggests a role for bevacizumab in the management of PFV, however, a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be proven. Further prospective comparative studies are needed to confirm our findings.